Council funds will guarantee festival
After being forced to cancel its Vinter Ljusfest this year, the Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Tourism Association has already been successful in securing funds for next year.
The association announced in June that it had been forced to cancel the annual event, held throughout August, because council and the state government had not made a decision on funding support within the required timeframe.
The event has been running for five years throughout August, with nightly lighting display and evening events.
WMRTA president Michael Leaney said council had not provided funding for three years, but this year the group applied for funding under council’s new community funding assistance program.
However, without a decision on the funding application six weeks before the festival, Mr Leaney said the association had no choice but to cancel this year’s festival.
The association had applied for $5000 funding.
At its meeting last week, council agreed to allocate $5000 to WMRTA for the 2017 Vinter Ljusfest.
Council also agreed to fund the 2016 event but the motion adopted by council stated given the event had already been cancelled, the 2016 funds would not be allocated.
Officers told council the Walhalla festival met the criteria for sponsorship funding support.
“Subsequent to the lodgement of the applications for funding by Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Tourism Inc. it has been published that the 2016 Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest has been cancelled.
“Therefore, the applicant should be informed that had the event not been cancelled Council would have supported the event,” the report said.
Cr Tricia Jones said it was disappointing this year’s festival was cancelled.
She said she could understand the bureaucratic timeframes could be frustrating at times, but council had to follow a process.
“I appreciate the efforts of Walhalla Mountain Rivers Tourism in driving tourism in the area,” she said.
Cr David Balfour said the funding would enable organisers to be “up and ready for next year.”